Sportsday - rolling sports news

1. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao set for first news conference
2. Build-up to Chelsea v PSG in Champions League last 16
3. Steve Bruce to sign new Hull City deal in 24 hours
4. Rangers appoint Stuart McCall as manager until end of season
5. England women win Cyprus Cup
6. Dodging Bullets wins Queen Mother Champions Chase

Goodbye

So team Pacquiao are in bullish mood but they have to go through this if this financial fairytale is to deliver sporting success.

BBC

Mayweather's professional career, which started in 1996, is yet to include the taste of defeat.

Will it ever happen? Read more thoughts when our live text starts at 19:30 GMT.

Thank you for joining us today, it's been busy. England won the Cyprus Cup, Dodging Bullets took the big race at Cheltenham, Steve Bruce and Stuart McCall had good news at Hull City and Rangers respectively. For a full day of chaos, read through the below.

See you for more tomorrow at 08:00 GMT as we bring you all the reaction from a big night in the Champions League.

Will Jose get knocked out?

What is to come?

A reminder this red carpet slow walk for Manny Pacquiao will be followed by Floyd Mayweather doing the same for an hour and then after 20:00 GMT the pair will sit down for a news conference.

Our live text commentary on the event will get going at 19:30 GMT.

Pacquiao's manager speaks

Manny Pacquiao's manager Bob Arum tells BBC Sport his fighter has all the tools to end Floyd Mayweather's career-long unbeaten record.

"He has a better Arsenal," says Arum. "Floyd is a great defensive fighter but this guy when he is focused has all the tools to drive Mayweather crazy. He punches from funny angles. Ask Ricky Hatton about him."

Asked is this the biggest fight in boxing history Arum lends perspective: "I go back to the Ali Frazier fight, we had no satellites then, no social media, it's hard to compare. I know my country stopped. The fight was on a Monday and nobody went to work.

"In this era this is the biggest fight and that's the best you can say. People finally got sense and put it together."

Pacquiao talks to BBC Sport

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Manny Pacquiao - the WBO Welterweight Champion - tells BBC sport: "This one is one of the most important fights of my career and in boxing history. It's going to be a good fight and historic fight.

"I'm sure millions in the Philippines are excited for this fight and want to see it live but can't. It's very important to win to prove who is the number one pound-for-pound in the world and to prove I am still the number one."

Chelsea v Paris St-Germain (19:45 GMT)

Chelsea fans rejoice, your team looks pretty much full strength for tonight's Champions League last-16 second leg meeting with Paris St-Germain.

Chelsea XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, Matic; Ramires, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.

Remember Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to start for PSG after being absent in the first meeting which ended 1-1.

Opta Jean

Our live text commentary on the C

Contender ready...

ALAMY

Chelsea v PSG (19:45 GMT)

Is Branislav Ivanovic Chelsea's not so secret weapon?

The defender scored the Blues crucial away goal in the first leg 1-1 draw in Paris, heading his team in front after Gary Cahill's flick from John Terry's cross.

AP

Branislav Ivanovic scored his fifth goal of the season to give Chelsea the lead

Ivanovic has proved a useful attacking player for Jose Moruinho's men, scoring six goals this season - including a vital extra-time winner in Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final win over Liverpool.

England win Cyprus Cup

Tony Leighton for BBC sport in Cyprus: "England have won the Cyprus Cup, Lianne Sanderson's 67th minute goal giving Mark Sampson's team a 1-0 victory over Canada. It's the third time in seven years that England have lifted the trophy, each time beating the Canadians in the final. Having gone unbeaten through the three-match group stage, the tournament will have given Sampson and his payers a big confidence boost three months ahead of the World Cup finals."

Get back and wait your chance

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A media officer is trying to control the clamours for Manny Pacquiao's attention as he slowly, and I do mean slowly, makes his way up the red carpet.

She screams at one reporter who is jostling with another: "Look, he's been here since 8am, you've got to give him a bit more room."

This fight is worth an estimated $400m (£268m) and every dime of that is going someway to whip up hysteria here.

Manny walks the carpet

Manny pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao's official Twitter account tweets: "Red carpet setup for today's presser."

But this picture is several hours old as those barriers now protect a scrum of media and Pac-Man is walking it was we speak.

He has a smart suit on, black with a white shirt. The usual fluffy hair. He sparkles with innocence. His fast hands are anything but.

Floyd Mayweather Snr don't dress the part for an event this big...

Mayweather Promotions

Bayern Munich v Shakhtar Donetsk (19:45 GMT)

AP

Tonight, Shakhtar Donetsk face an ominous task as this season, Bayern Munich have scored in all of their home games, scoring 48 goals and conceding just four.

The two sides played out a drab goalless draw in Ukraine so an away goal would be priceless for Shakhtar if they are to reach the last eight of the Champions League.

You ain't seen nothing yet

St Helens will continue to improve despite having already made a perfect start to the season, says Travis Burns.

The Super League champions have won all four of their league fixtures, with their only loss coming to South Sydney Rabbitohs in the World Club Series.

SWpix.com

Australian stand-off Burns, 31, is a new arrival at Langtree Park this year having joined from Hull KR.

"We know we're not anywhere near the side that we know we're going to be," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

Cyprus Cup Final latest

Tony Leighton for BBC sport in Cyprus: "England take the lead against Canada, Lianne Sanderson racing on to a 67th minute Jordan Nobbs through ball to coolly slot the ball past goalkeeper Erin McLeod. It's 1-0 and looking good for Sampson's team."

Mayweather v Pacquiao news conference

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An estimated 700 accredited media parties are gathering in Los Angeles for a fight? No. A weigh in? No. A news conference.

The world really cannot get enough of Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao ahead of their long-awaited bout on 2 May.

The early build-up has seen Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach state the Mayweather camp were paying fighters not to spar with Pacquiao in order to hinder his preparation.

But now, Roach says: "I have a secret sparring partner. He doesn't want to get beat up or something like that because he's leaving Mayweather's camp."

True? Or a wind-up tactic? Our live text commentary which starts at around 19:30 GMT may shed some light on it.

Chelsea v PSG (19:45 GMT)

Opta Jose on Twitter: 86/33 - Cesc Fabregas has been involved in fewer league goals in the second halves of the last six seasons. Wane.

Opta

Cheltenham Festival round-up

As we told you earlier, one bookmaker paid out in their trainer of the Cheltenham Festival market after Willie Mullins recorded a fifth win from nine races early on in day two of the meeting.

But the nailed on outcome now has some doubt as Paul Nicholls claimed the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with Qualando before the day closed out. He now has three winners in two days.

Elsewhere, David Pipe saddled Moon Racer which won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper to end the day and there was a second winner of the day for jockey Davy Russell aboard Rivage D'Or in the Glenfarclas Handicap Chase.

You can read all about the big race of the day with quotes from those connected to Dodging Bullets - the winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase - here.

Cyprus Cup Final latest

Tony Leighton for BBC Sport in Larnaca: "Cyprus Women's Cup final: We've had rain today in Larnaca for the first time during the Cyprus Cup, and right now it's bucketing down as England and Canada head into the second half in what are going to be very tricky conditions. It's still goalless and very even to date."

Chelsea v PSG (19:45 GMT)

Diego Costa didn't have his best game in the first leg in Paris. Here's a heat map showing where he was in possession of the ball on the pitch - and tellingly, he did not have one touch inside the PSG area.

Opta

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho feels Costa has been back to his best in the last two games, the wins over West Ham and Tottenham in the League Cup final.

If Costa fires again tonight, Chelsea surely have to be favourites... don't they? Or will Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return prove most significant?

Hamilton and Rosberg prepare for duel

Getting excited about the new F1 season? Don't blame you, so are we.

The action kicks off in Australia this weekend and, judging by what's happened in testing, it looks as if it will be another duel between the Mercedes pair of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

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"The atmosphere is pretty much as normal as it can be between competitors," says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. "It was pretty calm last year at this time and it got more intense during the season. I am pretty sure we will have a similar situation this year."

Check out this article by BBC Sport's F1 writer Andrew Benson on how the forthcoming season is likely to pan out.

Bale comes under increasing scrutiny

Real Madrid have been getting plenty of criticism from the Spanish media following last night's Champions League defeat to Schalke, with Gareth Bale in particular in the firing line.

"Yesterday was another demonstration that Bale is not able to defend, and almost not able to attack either," wrote Enrique Ortego in Marca.

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Bale, signed from Tottenham for a world record £85.3m in September 2013, had a fine record of 22 goals and 19 assists in his debut season.

This year he has 14 goals to his name - but has now gone nine matches without scoring and the media claim his "inability to offer any defensive cover" is costing Real.

All this fuss, yet Real actually beat Schalke on aggregate and are in the Champions League quarter-finals. They clearly have high standards at the Bernabeu.

Cyprus Cup Final latest

Tony Leighton for BBC Sport in Cyprus: "It's half-time in Larnaca, still goalless and chances have been few and far between as England and Canada have cancelled each other out in a so far uninspiring contest."

McCall next in at Rangers

BBC Scotland broke the news of Stuart McCall being lined up to take charge of Rangers until the end of the season.

It is not yet clear if the 50-year-old, currently assistant manager to Gordon Strachan with the Scottish national team, will retain the club's coaching staff including current caretaker manager Kenny McDowall.

Rangers have just one win in seven games and sit third in the Scottish Championship, 22 points behind leaders Hearts.

QPR's Ferdinand charged by FA

Queens Park Rangers director of football Les Ferdinand is charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

It is alleged Ferdinand used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards an official following QPR's defeat to Tottenham on 7 March.

The former Spurs striker has until 18:00 GMT on 13 March to respond to the charge.

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In light of Radamel Falcao playing for Manchester United Under-21s on Tuesday, we want to know what you think are the biggest falls from grace in sport.

Eric Cunha: Malky Mackay. Tipped for big things whilst at Cardiff & now relegating Wigan to League One after the text-messaging scandal.

Van Gaal: Adebayor, from star to Spurs reserves to saviour and now back down again.

Tweet us on #bbcsportsday.

Gazza tells court he was 'scared' to use phone

Former footballer Paul Gascoigne has told the High Court he was "scared to speak to anybody" by phone during the 10 years in which his voicemail was hacked by Mirror Group journalists.

The former England international, 47, said the journalists had "ruined his life".

PA

He said he had known his phone had been hacked but no-one had believed him.

Describing the experience as "horrendous", Mr Gascoigne linked the phone hacking with his alcoholism.

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Everton footballer is complaining about 18 articles, all accepted to have been the product of illegal activity.

Full article here.

Bruce to sign new Hull deal

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Hull City boss Steve Bruce says he is "delighted" to have committed his future to the club after agreeing a contract extension.

Bruce, 54, joined Hull in 2012 and guided them to promotion from the Championship in his first season but his side sit 15th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.

"We have achieved a lot in the few years we have been here but this is just the beginning of the journey," says Bruce, who will finalise his new deal on Thursday.

"Premier League survival is now crucial for us at this time, as is improving our training facility as we look to continue to grow and become a solid, well run Premier League club."

BreakingRangers appoint new manager

Stuart McCall has been appointed Rangers manager until the end of the season, BBC Scotland understands.

It is not known yet if he will retain current caretaker manager Kenny McDowall on the coaching staff, or bring an assistant in with him.

BreakingBruce agrees new Hull deal

Manager Steve Bruce has agreed a new contract with Hull City, which will be signed within the next 24 hours, the Premier League club has announced.

'Absolutely gutted'

Luke Shaw on Twitter: Absolutely gutted to not still be in the FA Cup. We now need to work hard to finish the season strong. Thanks to all the fans sticking by us.

'Real quality'

Stuart Lancaster is in chipper mood in his press conference, mainly because - with a World Cup coming up later this year - he believes he has a "real high quality squad in place".

"You forget about some of the players we have had an injured. A lot have come back into the squad now and you look around the quality in the squad and it is great," said the England coach.

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"But it is all about Saturday now, the game against Scotland, and delivering on the day with the 23 players we have selected.

"We did a lot right against Ireland as well as some things wrong. There were definitely lessons to be learned. But the players have taken that on board and we go again."

'Brown looking exceptional'

England coach Stuart Lancaster is facing the press ahead of the Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.

England lost to Ireland last time out and are looking to bounce back.

Key man Mike Brown returns, which is what Lancaster talks about first.

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"It was a bad injury, a bad knock to his head and it was definitely right not to include him in Ireland game. We had to do the right thing for him," said Lancaster.

"But he was exceptional in training today and he will be ready for Saturday's match."

Reading set to sign defender Knight

Championship Reading are set to sign former Fulham, Aston Villa and Bolton defender Zat Knight on a free transfer until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old joined Bolton for £4m in July 2009 but left at the end of last season and had a brief spell with Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Chelsea v PSG

Paris St-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has warned his side not to confront Chelsea striker Diego Costa, whom he says "thrives" on provocation.

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"He likes contact, and provokes opposition players. That's part of his game," Blanc said.

"He really needs that to bring out the best in his performances. The most important thing is to not get caught up in the way he plays.

"He will try to provoke a reaction. We need to stay calm, not get caught up in his game. We need to be as effective as possible in stopping him."

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To understand the below, have a gander at the story from 11:05...

Andrew Hill: re. Rod Stewart puns, surely "Some guys have all the puck"?

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Not bad Andrew, not bad.

Dons' Driver

Andrew Driver has signed a short-term deal with Aberdeen until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.

SNS

The former Hearts midfielder, who had been training with the club, joins after a spell in the Major Soccer League in the USA with Houston Dynamo.

Driver walks away from 142mph crash

other

Stoneman believes the crash was caused by cross wind

Racing driver Dean Stoneman says he was just thankful to walk away from a 142mph crash and subsequent "fireball".

The Formula Renault 3.5 racer driver suffered the crash during testing in Spain ahead of the new season.

"At the time I wasn't aware the fireball had occurred," Southampton-based former Formula 2 champion Stoneman, 24, told BBC Radio Solent.

"After the accident my main concern was to get out of the car. It was very painful; I was winded. It's one of those things that happen in motorsport and I was happy to be able to walk away from it. I've been through a lot worse."

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Robert McHugh: Roque Junior must be up there, World Cup winner to not being to make the Leeds team in a relegation season.

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Liam: Ronaldinho has came down gracefully, still a joy to watch. Adrian Mutu, on the other hand...

Kenneth Barr: Baseball's Alex Rodriguez and cycling's Lance Armstrong. Same reason, arrogantly lying about PEDs.

Keep them coming to #bbcsportsday.

England - the line-up

England team to face Scotland on Saturday in full:

M Brown (Harlequins); A Watson (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), L Burrell (Northampton), J Nowell (Exeter); G Ford (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), D Attwood (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: T Youngs (Leicester), M Vunipola (Saracens), K Brookes (Newcastle), G Parling (Leicester), T Wood (Northampton), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), D Cipriani (Sale), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester).

Lawes and Brown back in

England have recalled lock Courtney Lawes and full-back Mike Brown for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

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Lawes makes his first international appearance since facing Australia last autumn after winning his battle with an ankle problem, proving his fitness in two recent club games for Northampton.

Brown returns after missing the 19-9 defeat by Ireland because of the concussion he suffered against Italy, replacing Alex Goode in the starting line-up.

Cyprus Women's Cup Final

Tony Leighton for BBC Sport: "England coach Mark Sampson has made nine changes from Monday's 1-1 group draw with the Netherlands as the Lionesses prepare to face Canada in today's final at Larnaca's GSZ Stadium (16:30 GMT).

"Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs will captain the team for the first time while Chelsea left back Claire Rafferty will make her England return after two-and-a-half-years out following what was her third cruciate ligament injury.

"Portland Thorns striker Jodie Taylor, hat-trick hero of Friday's 3-0 win against Australia, is back in the starting line-up and will play alongside Arsenal's Lianne Sanderson up front."

The media showdown

BBC World Sport reporter Alex South in Los Angeles: "The media pass looks like a movie poster, the red carpet is fit for Hollywood's finest and the venue can hold thousands. All for a boxing press conference."

BBC

Mayweather and Pacquiao meet on 2 May but the only time they will meet one another in a news conference arrives this evening and BBC Sport will be covering it live with a scheduled start of 20:30 GMT.

Neymar seeing three

Barcelona striker Neymar is eyeing the treble.

BBC

Luis Enrique's side now sit top of La Liga, lead Manchester City ahead of their Nou Camp second-leg in the last-16 of the Champions League and will face Athletic Bolbao in the Spanish Cup final.

"I think we have the team to think about winning the treble," Neymar says. "We will give everything to win it. I don't want to choose any title, I want to win all three."

Driver wins court case

Sauber's former test driver Giedo van der Garde has won his case against the team after a court backed his claim that he was promised a race seat.

The ruling brings uncertainty to Sauber days before the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

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Van der Garde was not due to race, with Swede Marcus Ericsson and Brazilian Felipe Nasr the slated race drivers.

But the Victoria Supreme Court has ruled Dutchman Van der Garde, 29, should drive in Melbourne.

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Honka Bonka: The last team to win the Serbian League apart from Partizan and Red Star was FK Obilic in 1998. They now play in the sixth tier.

Keep them coming at #bbcsportsday.

Chelsea v PSG

On Chelsea's Twitter feed:

Chelsea FC

Not much of an atmosphere as yet, but the Bridge sure looks nice in the afternoon sunshine.

Blasting his way to a call up

Uncapped striker Bas Dost was named in the Netherlands' preliminary squad earlier by manager Guus Hiddink.

The Wolfsburg player, 25, is in incredible form in the Bundesliga....

Bas Dost of Wolfsburg

Southampton fans may be interested to know Eljero Elia has also got a call up despite having not played for his country since 2012.

The Dutch face a Euro 2016 qualifier against Turkey in Amsterdam on 28 March and a friendly against Spain three days later.

Gunners fret about Ox

Arsenal face an anxious wait to find out the extent of the hamstring injury to England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The 21-year-old, who had just returned to the side following a groin problem, was substituted during the FA Cup win at Manchester United.

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"Chamberlain has a hamstring strain, the only thing we don't know is how bad it is," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's website. "He will have a scan today."

Wenger added that midfielder Jack Wilshere is "progressing well" following surgery on his ankle, while Mathieu Flamini had resumed full training after a hamstring problem and is in contention for Saturday's Premier League game against West Ham.

Bullet ushers new era?

Former jockey and BBC Radio 5 live broadcaster Luke Harvey: "I think we just seen a changing of the guard. Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy just couldn't do it."

Queen Mother Champion Chase result: 1 Dodging Bullets (9-2); 2 Somersby (33-1); 3 Special Tiara (18-1).

Dodging Bullets claims Cheltenham glory

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Dodging Bullets, tells BBC Radio 5 live: "We thought this horse would do it today, he has been really, really well, good form good horse."

Dodging Bullets was bred by Frankie Dettori.

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Dodging Bullets claims hopes of fancied pair

Dodging Bullets wins the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the showpiece race on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

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Under the ride of Sam-Twiston Davies, the Paul Nicholls trained seven-year-old is resolute after jumping the last, digging deep up the Cheltenham hill to see off any challenge.

The two previous winners of this race Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy have nothing to threaten this star performer.

Off in Queen Mother Champion Chase

You can listen to the brilliant John Hunt on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking at the top of this page as he calls the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The genius of Sangakkara

This is why Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara is in the news today.

BBC

No U-turn by record-breaker Sangakkara

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara will not reconsider his decision to retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup despite his record-breaking form.

Sangakkara hit his fourth successive ODI hundred as Sri Lanka beat Scotland at the World Cup on Wednesday.

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The 37-year-old confirmed to BBC's Test Match Special that he would play no more ODI cricket after the tournament.

"Retirement is not about form, it is about time and place and whether it feels right," he said.

Day two showpiece nears off

The runners are parading at Cheltenham ahead of the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Sprinter Sacre v Sire de Grugy or can someone else upset the odds?

As I type, the pair, the previous two winners of the race, are joint favourites at 5-2.

Supporters to appear in court for Paris incident

Five men involved in incidents on the Paris Metro before Chelsea's match against Paris Saint-Germain have been summonsed to appear in court.

A group of fans were seen preventing a black man from boarding the metro on 17 February and Scotland Yard says five involved will appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court on 25 March.

Earlier today (see 09:48 GMT), the victim in the attack was quoted as saying he has required medication as a result of the attack.

McCoy enjoying but no success

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

Retiring 19-time champion jockey AP McCoy is philosophical despite being without a winner so far at his final Cheltenham Festival.

"I didn't come here with any real short-priced horses. I have some chances and maybe one of them will win. I suppose because it's me, people are asking the question a bit more," said the 40-year-old Northern Irishman.

"Mr Mole is probably my best chance of the day (Queen Mother Champion Chase, 15:20 GMT). He's unbeaten this season and has improved. Whether he's improved enough to compete with the likes of Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre, we'll have to wait and see.

"I did say I would try to enjoy my last Cheltenham and I am enjoying it."

Nicholls gets on board

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Sam Twiston-Davies are off the mark for this year's Cheltenham Festival as French recruit Aux Ptits Soins edged ahead in a pulsating Coral Cup.

The five-year-old lined up for this fiercely-competitive handicap as a fascinating contender, making his first start in Britain and his first appearance since winning at Auteuil last autumn.

The 9-1 shot looked like running out a comprehensive winner as he rounded the home turn still on the bridle, but front-running Irish raider Zabana would not go down without a fight.

Coral Cup result: 1 Aux Ptits Soins (9-1); 2 Zabana (25-1); 3 Activial (7-2 fav); 4 Taglietelle (14-1)

Everton news conference

Tony Hibbert, Bryan Ovideo, Aiden McGeady and Leighton Baines will all miss tomorrow's Europa League first-leg meeting with Dynamo Kiev.

Martinez reveals John Stones and Leon Osman are also doubts. He said: "Stones has a virus and Osman is carrying a knock and will be monitored. We will give them as much time as they need."

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Nitin R Menon: Nottingham Forest. From days of winning back to Back European Cups to playing in the Championship.

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Everton news conference

When asked about a record of four wins in 21 matches, Everton boss Roberto Martinez candidly replies: "It is not a time to look at statistics."

Everton FC

He continues: "We know the severity of the situation in the league, we have 10 games, 30 points to fight for and at the end of the season we will assess what happened.

"Every game is vital. I am not looking at the league now. This is not the time. It is all about Dynamo Kiev. We have put in a lot of hard work and effort to get to this stage and now we need to focus.

"We need to remember than Dynamo are unbeaten in their league, which shows you how well they have been playing this season."

Everton news conference

Steven Naismith believes Everton can go all the way and win the Europa League this season.

The Blues reached the last-16 with a comprehensive aggregate win over Young Boys and face Dynamo Kiev with the first leg at Goodison Park on Thursday. Lifting the Europa League this season offers a side a place in the qualifying phase of the Champions League next term.

"We believe we can go all the way to the final in the Europa League and win it but we are at the stage now where every team is quality and dangerous going forward," says Naismith. "So we will need to be very solid, get the crowd behind us, and get a good result to take into the second leg."

Everton news conference

Everton manager Roberto Martinez and forward Steven Naismith are in front of the media. The Blues take on Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last-16 on Thursday.

Everton FC

Naismith says: "We have shown we are taking the league and Europe equally as seriously this season. The Europa has gone very well, league has been a bit tougher. We wanted to build on what we did last season but the demands of league and European football is what we need to sort if we are to become the successful team we want to be."

Everton have slipped to 14th in the Premier League, six points above the relegation zone.

Mullins topples bookies

BBC Sport horse racing reporter Frank Keogh reports that some bookmakers are already paying out on Willie Mullins being top trainer at Cheltenham.

His incredible run continued in the second race of day two as Don Poli took victory under the ride of Bryan Cooper, a fifth win for Mullins with just nine races gone so far since the Festival started on Tuesday.

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Eighteen races to come.

QPR away day

Some of Queens Park Rangers' finest are taking their eye of a relegation battle by enjoying the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Charlie Austin Twitter

Both Charlie Austin and Joey Barton are avid racing fans.

Rangers, 18th in the Premier League, travel to 12th place Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Korval suspended

European judo champion Loic Korval has been suspended for 10 months by the French federation after missing three doping tests.

Korval, 26, who won the continental title last year in the men's 66kg division, will be ineligible to defend his title at June's European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, following three no-shows in less than 18 months.

High-five for Mullins

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Trainer Willie Mullins says he feels "numb" as he equals his Cheltenham Festival record with a fifth winner at this year's meeting already.

Favourite Don Poli gets up to claim the RSA Chase from Southend Theatre.

"He did that very well," Mullins tells BBC radio 5 live. "It looked like he was waiting the whole way up the straight, ears pricked, waiting for something. "We are a bit numb really. If we had one or two winners we would be celebrating. It has gone way beyond our expectations."

Result Cheltenham 14:05 GMT: 1 Don Poli (13-8 fav); 2 Southfield Theatre (13-2).

Spurs in for winger

Spanish newspaper AS: Tottenham have joined Malaga and Celtic in the race to sign Danish winger Michael Krohn-Dehli on a free transfer when his contract at Celta Vigo runs out in the summer.

The first face off

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A fight several years in the making and a sporting event which will probably be talked about for a generation will seem all the more real tonight when Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather sit down for their only news conference ahead of the 2 May fight.

How much will these men earn? It depends not only on your conversion rate but on who you believe. One thing is for sure, they will have a hard time spending it all.

Will someone get the upper hand in the news conference? Will Floyd the talker have too much for his often quiet opposite number?

We will run a live text on the entire news conference this evening.

Arsenal track Kiev defender

Metro: Arsenal will take the chance to assess 24-year-old centre-back Aleksandar Dragovic when his Dynamo Kiev side take on Everton in the Europa League on Thursday ahead of a possible £15m summer bid.

'Typical English' - Sidebottom

Yorkshire bowler Ryan Sidebottom has become the latest to have his say on England's dire World Cup campaign.

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Talking to BBC Look North, Sidebottom, who played 22 Tests and 25 one-day matches for England, said: "We've been typical English and left it until late to pick a World Cup team. People say it's been four years in the planning but it hasn't really looked like that.

"It's disappointing and I'm sure there'll be lots of questions but it's up to the players and the ECB to sort it out.

"I think we've been left behind a little bit in terms of one-day and T20 cricket. We invented T20 and now you have the Big Bash and the IPL, I think we need a Premier League for it here to enhance the game here."

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Rishi Verma: 25 years after THAT upset (defeat to Buster Douglas), Mike Tyson, surely? Never the same fighter since; time in jail; oh, and a mild spot of cannibalism.

AP

Daniel Farren: Scandal shattered Tiger Woods image, who could have known that years on his game still wouldn't have recovered? Will it ever?

Oomar Jaunmohamud: Ronaldinho. Fell so deep down the well, but what a player he was.

Keep them coming to #bbcsportsday.

No favours for Jonas

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Newcastle Evening Chronicle: Winger Jonas Gutierrez says he does not expect to be shown any favour by Newcastle manager John Carver after returning to the first team since recovering from testicular cancer.

Familiar colours win at Cheltenham

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

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"Davy Russell delivered a Cheltenham masterclass as he steered an inside line and pushed clear to win on the impressive Windsor Park, for trainer Dermot Weld, in the opener.

"Russell won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year on Lord Winderemere in the same purple and yellow silks of owner Dr Ronan Lambe.

"Windsor Park is a son of the Flat racing super stud Galileo, himself winner of the Derby at Epsom in 2001."

Windsor Park takes opening cracker

A booming, thrilling, close-fought opener at Cheltenham and Davy Russell keeps his cool at the last with several horses primed to pounce as he guides Windsor Park home at 9-2.

It is a first win of 2015 for Windsor Park and when Vyta Du Roc crashed into the last, Dermot Weld's horse had to only hold off the challenge from those coming from further back.

Parlour Games under AP McCoy - yet to win at the Festival - had a good go but came in second, with favourite Nichols Canyon in third.

Ireland now has six wins at the Festival to Great Britain's two.

Ricketts needs a move

Wales defender Sam Ricketts says he may have to leave Wolves to prolong his international career.

Ricketts, 33, has not featured for the Championship promotion contenders since November.

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The former Swansea City full-back is out of contract at Molineux this summer.

"I would like to play for as long as I can and it's looking like I will have to find a new club to do so," Ricketts told Sport Wales.

Chelsea v Paris St-Germain (19:45 GMT)

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is excited at the prospect of resuming his partnership with Nemanja Matic in midfield when they meet Paris St-Germain later.

Matic has missed two games for his dismissal against Burnley in February but returns as Chelsea seek a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with the tie poised at 1-1.

"Obviously we need the best out of everybody against PSG but we do definitely need the best out of him (Matic) because he is the one that gives the balance to the team offensively and defensively," Fabregas says.

"He is a key player for us and it's good that he recovered well and he can be on top of his game. Midfielders have to attack and defend and when he plays he gives us this ability to control games offensively and defensively very well."

Honey I shrunk the Crouch

Abbey Clancy on Twitter: Haha just found this! Love having my own sporty Ken doll.

Twitter

Clancy is, of course, married to the Stoke and former Liverpool frontman.

Cheltenham opener moments away

The first race of the day will be off at 13:30 GMT at Cheltenham and Nichols Canyon goes for the trainer-jockey combination of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh in the Neptune Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old will start as favourite. Faugheen, a winner for Mullins-Walsh yesterday, won this race last year.

Jockey Barrie Geraghty was on target with a winner on Tuesday and saddles Vyta Du Roc, a horse with four wins and a second place in its five runs.

The market moves

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

"Punters are putting their faith in 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre recovering his old magic in the Queen Mother Champion Chase (15:20 GMT) after a heart scare.

"The horse, trained by Nicky Henderson, was cut to 7-2 from 4-1 by race sponsors Betway after sustained support.

"Others popular today include Aux Ptits Soins, something of a talking horse down at the Somerset stables of Paul Nicholls, at about 10-1 in the Coral Cup (14:40) and Tony Martin's contender Blackmail in the same race."

World Cup to start on Thursday

Google

Incredibly, an email has dropped in our inbox telling us that eight months after the fantastic World Cup in Brazil, the road to the 2018 tournament in Russia will start on Thursday.

With over three years to the tournament, such a long build-up may seem bizarre, but 209 nations desperate to take part have to be cut down.

Each of the nations involved in preliminary qualifying get around £200,000 to cover flights, accommodation and logistics.

On Thursday, six two-legged ties begin and will be concluded on 17 March, they are: India v Nepal; Yemen v Pakistan; Timor-Leste v Mongolia; Cambodia v Macau; Chinese Taipei v Brunei Darussalam; and Sri Lanka v Bhutan.

You will see from our trusty map that Nepal v India is a bit of a derby geographically at least while Timor Leste is an island located north of Australia. You learn something every day.

Coming up on Sportsday

In the next hour on Sportsday we will bring you race one of the day at the Cheltenham Festival as well as Roberto Martinez's news conference as his side prepare to face Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Spaniard is due before the cameras at 14:00 GMT.

Falcons sign Carnegie prop

Newcastle Falcons are to sign prop Ben Harris from Championship club Yorkshire Carnegie ahead of next season.

The 25-year-old has agreed a two-year deal following talks with Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards.

"I want to go up and learn as much as I can and test myself at the top end of the game," he said.

GET INVOLVED

John McEnerney: Winston Bogarde won the Champions League with Ajax moves to AC Milan and Barcelona on big wages, ends up demoted to the Chelsea youth team.

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Haris Hameed: Mohammed Amir. From being the hottest young talent in cricket, successor to Wasim Akram, to jail in less than two years.

Send your nominees for biggest falls from grace in sport #bbcsportsday.

Qatar come to England

The Qatar national football team will use the Football Association's national football centre at St George's Park in May as its base for friendlies against European opposition.

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The venue in Burton will host the team before a match against Northern Ireland at a Midlands venue on 31 May - with other internationals also mooted.

FA chairman Greg Dyke has opposed Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

Notts sign Zimbabwe skipper

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has agreed to join Nottinghamshire ahead of the new county season.

The club are currently awaiting approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the exact terms of the deal have not yet been revealed.

Taylor, 29, has played 23 Tests, 166 one-day internationals and 26 T20 matches for Zimbabwe, and is currently leading them at the World Cup.

Johansen top dog

Celtic midfielder Stefan Johansen has been voted top player in the Scottish Professional Football League during February.

SNS Group Alan Harvey

Stefan Johansen scored four goals during February

The 24-year-old Norwegian scored four goals during February to take his total to 10 in 50 appearances for club and country this season.

And the answer is...

So then, we asked how many golf courses there on this planet of ours (see 12:18).

And the answer is - drumroll - 34,011.

If you got the correct answer, you really should get out more.

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According to a report commissioned by the R&A, the United States is home to nearly half those courses (45%), with 22% in Europe.

The report says 696 golf courses are under construction or in advance planning and that the sport is going to new areas, with Belarus, Azerbaijan and Georgia opening their first courses in the last two years.

So there you go - info to dazzle your mates with down the pub.

'Don't bother watching the Ashes'

More on the cricket and England fans should "hide behind the sofa" rather than watch the Ashes this summer, former batsman Mark Butcher says.

England were knocked out of the World Cup after losing to Bangladesh.

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They next go to the West Indies for a Test series before meeting New Zealand and Australia this summer.

Butcher told BBC Radio 5 live : "I'm afraid, with things the way they are, they are going to give us an absolute hiding."

Moores should take charge of youth

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England cricket coach Peter Moores is in the wrong job according to the country's former captain Michael Vaughan.

Moores, 52, is under pressure after England suffered a humiliating World Cup exit at the Pool stage with a game to spare.

"I personally think Peter is in the wrong job," says Vaughan. "He would be absolutely suited to run the England system from about 15 to 20 years of age. I personally would bring in someone like Jason Gillespie to run the England team. I think he has that laid-back approach."

England face Afghanistan in their final Pool match on Friday.

Liverpool captaincy up for grabs?

Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has played down the prospect of him captaining the club when Steven Gerrard leaves for Major League Soccer this summer.

Henderson became vice captain at the beginning of the season and has been captain in Gerrard's absence through injury in recent weeks, though manager Brendan Rodgers has played down talk of the former Sunderland midfielder being guaranteed the role.

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"Next season we'll see what happens because it might not be me succeeding Stevie, it might be someone else," Henderson tells the official Liverpool FC magazine.

"There are a lot of strong leaders in the dressing room. There are a lot of big characters in the team - down to earth, humble people. Stevie's the perfect captain really. He's a leader on and off the field. He's someone we all look up to. He always puts the team first. He's very unselfish."

Matter of course

Now then, get your thinking caps on for we have a teaser and a half for you.

How many golf courses are there on planet Earth?

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The exact figure - correct as of 31 December, 2014 - has just been revealed in a report issued by the R&A.

We'll give you a clue because we're kind like that. It's more than zero but less than 50,000. There, that makes it easier doesn't it...

Answer coming your way in 20 minutes.

Liverpool eye £20m midfielder

Daily Mirror: Liverpool have been linked with Lazio's Felipe Anderson, 21, with the club sending scouts to keep tabs on the £20m rated midfielder.

Scotland send Haq home from World Cup

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Scotland offspinner Majid Haq has been sent home from the Cricket World Cup after a comment on social media.

Haq, 32, was unhappy at not being selected for his side's 148-run defeat to Sri Lanka in Hobart.

His tweet, which has since been deleted, read: "Always tougher when you're in the minority! #colour #race".

Haq will be serving a three-week ban at the start of the season from his league, the West District Cricket Union, for comments previously made on social media.

Non-runner in Cheltenham showpiece

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

Champagne Fever has been ruled out of Wednesday's Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The grey, trained by in-form Willie Mullins and the mount of Ruby Walsh, was injured in his box.

He was about 5-1 third favourite behind previous winners Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre.

The horse had appeared to have recovered from being bitten on the lip by a stablemate on the trip over from Ireland but was confirmed a non-runner.

GET INVOLVED

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In light of Radamel Falcao turning out for Manchester United Under-21s, we are asking you for your views on the biggest fall from grace in sporting history.

Christopher Galazka: Manchester United without Fergie without a doubt.

Tom Bielich: Any Liverpool striker once they have left Anfield; Owen, Torres…

Paul Walton: Three nominations: Lance Armstrong; Diego Maradona; Alex Higgins.

Tweet us on #bbcsportsday or comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Rhodes to Boro?

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BBC Tees Sport's Mark Drury: No comment from Middlesbrough on Jordan Rhodes but we understands there have been talks over a loan move for the Blackburn striker. No deal has been agreed yet though and Boro are far from the only team keen on Rhodes.

Van Gaal to get more cash

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Daily Express: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be given another £150m to revive the club's fortunes, with the club's hierarchy thought to be reluctant to make another change following the early departure of Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes.

Thornton in De Grugy camp

For more forecasts and viewpoints from the Festival, take a look at BBC radio 5 live's preview of day two with jockey Andrew Thornton and commentator John Hunt.

BBC Radio 5 live

Queen Mother Chase (15:20 GMT)

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

"One big race - so many stories. The Queen Mother Champion Chase at 15:20 GMT has a number of potential headline grabbers.

"Will it be last year's winner Sire De Grugy, and his boisterous band of Crystal Palace-supporting fans, who placed a blue and red scarf around the neck of the Duchess of Cornwall at last year's presentation?

"Maybe Sprinter Sacre, rated the best steeplechaser of his generation when winning two years ago, but with only one run in 15 months after suffering a heart scare?

"Then there's retiring champion jockey AP McCoy, seeking his first winner of the 2015 meeting on Mr Mole; and Dodging Bullets, the jump racing improver bred by flat racing's most famous jockey Frankie Dettori. The Italian will be in attendance today hoping it is the latter that steals the show."

Murray adds new coach

Andy Murray is set to add former world number four Jonas Bjorkman to his coaching team.

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The Scot has been looking for a second coach to work alongside Amelie Mauresmo since splitting from long-time team member Dani Vallverdu in November.

Swede Bjorkman will spend a week with Murray at some point in the next month with a view to joining the team on a permanent basis.

Happy birthday

Mohamed Salah, currently on loan at Fiorentina from Chelsea, on Twitter: Happy birthday to the African legend, one of the best players I have played with ... Didier Drogba.

Drogba turns 37 today, though there'll be no celebrating - or at least not until Chelsea's Champions League clash with PSG is done and dusted.

Wednesday's back pages

The Guardian

A last look at what's making the headlines in the morning papers and there is a bit of everything in The Guardian, from Favourite Faugheen's Cheltenham triumph to Jose Mourinho, with a spot of England cricket thrown in.

There looks likely to be a duel for the back pages tomorrow as Cheltenham's Queen Mother Chase will throw up a hero and Chelsea will inevitably grab headlines when they meet Paris St-Germain in the Champions League later.

Nastasic completes Schalke move

Bizarrely German club Schalke tweet this image upon the news they have completed the signing of Manchester City's Matija Nastasic.

Schalke

The 21-year-old defender was on loan with the Bundesliga club but has now signed a contract until 2019 having made nine appearances for Roberto Di Matteo's side.

"I am proud and happy I remain at Schalke," says Nastasic. "The team did very well taken me from day one, I was immediately a part of the team."

Scotland fall short

It's all over for Scotland in Hobart. They have been beaten by 148 runs by Sri Lanka at the World Cup, their fifth loss on the bounce at the tournament.

The Scots were bowled out for 215 in reply to Sri Lanka's 363-9, an innings which featured yet another century from Kumar Sangakkara - who becomes the first player to score four successive one-day international centuries.

Full scorecard here.

Pucky guy

Here's a sporting story you don't see every day ... the son of music legend Rod Stewart and model Rachel Hunter, is in line for his Great Britain ice hockey debut after being named in an initial squad of 31.

SNS

London-born Liam Stewart is included for next month's World Championship in Eindhoven and two international fixtures against Poland.

Stewart Jnr, at 6ft 1in is somewhat taller than his rock-star father, plays in America and is now in his fourth season with Spokane Chiefs in the state of Washington.

We've spent the last half-hour trying to think of some suitably hilarious puns based on Rod Stewart songs but as First Puck Is The Deepest and Handbags and Kneepads prove, we've failed to come up with any.

Queen Mother Chase (15:20 GMT)

Cornelius Lysaght

BBC horse racing correspondent at the Cheltenham Festival

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"The showdown between the last two Queen Mother Champion Chasers is a clash that has been anticipated for months.

"But neither Sprinter Sacre (left), a spectacular winner in 2013, nor the equally memorable Sire De Grugy (right), hero of last year, have had what you might call ideal preparations.

"Famously, the Nicky Henderson-trained Sprinter Sacre, also a winner of the Arkle Trophy, missed all of 2014 following a heart condition, and returned with a second place, plus a puzzling nose bleed, at Ascot in January.

"Meanwhile, the Sire De Grugy team has had to overcome a recent injury scare and then a comeback race at Newbury in which the horse and his jockey Jamie Moore parted company, before an admittedly convincing success."

You can read more from Cornelius in his preview of six things to watch at the Festival.

Saints youngsters march on

Southampton's academy has proved the most profitable in Europe over the last three years, producing talent that has subsequently been sold for more than £90m, reports the Daily Mail.

Swansea were the next most profitable raising more than £30m by selling the likes of Joe Allen and Ben Davies.

Shock retirement at KR

BBC

Weyman, who spent much of his career playing in Australia's NRL for Canberra Raiders and St. George Illawarra, signed for Hull in 2013 and scored seven tries in his debut season.

You can follow BBC Humberside Sport on Twitter or tune into BBC Radio Humberside for more on the story.

Madrid beaten but not out

The fall out was never going to be pretty.

"A chaotic Madrid show panic in the Beranbeu," reads the front page of Marca.

Marca

Real Madrid may well be into the last eight of the Champions League but the manner of their 4-3 home loss to Schalke - which yielded a 5-4 aggregate win - angered home fans who waved their handkerchiefs at Los Blancos' players.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are under attack at the moment having surrendered their place at the top of La Liga to Barcelona, who now have a one point advantage.

Ancelotti apology

Despite successfully making it through in the Champions league, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti issued an apology after the defending champions were jeered off after losing the second leg of their tie with Schalke.

"I'm very sorry. We played very badly and that is bad for our image," said Ancelotti. "All the criticism we get is justified.

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"We need to look at our defence, that's where all our errors were. No team has put four past us at home. It's not easy to explain what's happened. We've lost confidence."

The defending champions reached the quarter-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win.

Looking bleak

Think we jinxed Scotland.

Freddie Coleman went for 70 and has just been followed by Michael Leask, out for two.

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That means the Scots are 193-6 off 38 overs, and that target of 364 is looking a long way. Sri Lanka in total control.

Scots lose another wicket

Scotland have slipped to 187 for 4 at the World Cup, chasing 364 to beat Sri Lanka and claim a first ever victory at the tournament.

Preston Mommsen was the last man out, though he can hold his head high about his efforts - scoring an impressive 60 from 93 balls.

Victory looks unlikely but as long as Freddie Coleman stays at the crease, the Scots have an outside chance. Coleman is 70 not out from 84 balls.

Cheltenham going

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport at the Cheltenham Festival

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"Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse has just been on track and tells me the going remains Good to Soft, Good in places, though could change as the ground is drying.

"He says 2-3mm of rain is due to fall at sometime between 13:00 and 15:00 GMT.

"BBC Radio 5 live weather forecaster Simon King says the rain could be heavy for a time, but should clear by the end of the afternoon with a maximum temperature for Ladies' Day of 10C. Thursday should be drier though rain may return for Gold Cup day on Friday."

A reminder you will be able to listen to BBC Radio 5 live's coverage of Cheltenham at the top of this Sportsday page.

Swansea defender puts pen to paper

More news from Swansea City and full-back Jordi Amat has signed a new contract.

The 22-year-old has extended his current deal and is now under contract at the Liberty Stadium until 2018.

The Spaniard has made nine appearances this season having recently recovered from a knee injury.

Bafe is smiling

When Bafetimbi Gomis was lying flat on the White Hart Lane turf less than a week ago, football held its breath but the big Swansea City striker is back training, smiling and could face Liverpool on Monday.

Gomis, 29, fainted as a result of an ongoing issue with his blood pressure, but the Swansea camp were always confident the issue was not serious and he could make his 31st appearance of the season when the Reds visit the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea Evening Post

GET INVOLVED

After a presumably slightly cheesed-off Radamel Falcao turned out for Man United under-21s, we want to know the biggest falls from grace in sport.

Leon Bacarese: The rapid decline of Tiger Woods has surely got to be up there as one of the greatest falls from grace that sport has seen!

Ian Stoddart: Falcao the biggest fall from grace? Do me a favour. Two words - Lance Armstrong.

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Waleed: Michael Owen and Fernando Torres spring to mind. In their prime, regarded as one of the best, now they are not mentioned in that topic.

Keep them coming to #bbcsportsday.

Porto make easy progress

What do Chelsea and Porto have in common in this season's Champions League?

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Both are the only sides unbeaten in the 2014-15 competition.

Porto joined Real Madrid in the quarter-finals with victory over FC Basel on Tuesday as a 4-0 second-leg win laced with a couple of stunning free-kicks secured a 5-1 aggregate passage.

"We deserve to be in the Champions League quarter-finals even if we came through qualifying," said Porto boss Julen Lopetegui, whose side started in the qualifying phase and are 10 Champions League matches without loss. "I am very happy and very proud of my players who showed a lot of character."

Racist fans haunt Paris man

The man pushed off a Paris train by Chelsea fans in February has spoken of his ongoing trauma and claims he cannot work as a result of the racist act.

The Frenchman, named only as Souleymane, was offered to attend tonight's second-leg meeting between Chelsea and Paris St-Germain but rejected the offer from the London club, who have suspended five supporters for their action.

"I still hear the voices of those people who pushed me because of the colour of my skin," Souleymane told RTL radio. "I can't go to work anymore. I live with racism but it's the first time I've had to go to a doctor to ask for pills to calm myself down."

A knockout day

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So what else will Sportsday have in store for you today?

Lots from Cheltenham and our reporter on course plus results from every race, build-up to the first news conference where both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will hype their May showdown (cannot wait for that), lots of stats, quotes and view points on Chelsea v Paris St-Germain, plus all of the day's other news.

We will also run a couple of debates, the first of which is below.

GET INVOLVED

So Radamel Falcao, a Colombian international earning a reported £260,000 a week in his loan deal at Manchester United, found himself playing with the club's under-21 side on Tuesday night in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

Hardly what was expected when he arrived last year and hardly an environment befitting a man who joined Monaco for over £50m.

It is a fall from grace but what for you is the biggest fall from grace in sport? Tweet us on #bbcsportsday.

Madrid survive a real scare

So Chelsea have it all to do - but for Real Madrid it's already done, they are through to the Champions League quarters.

However, it wasn't straightforward for Carlo Ancelotti's men as they survived a real scare, conceding four away goals to an impressive Schalke.

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The holders were hanging on in the final few seconds as Schalke were just a goal away from producing one of the competition's biggest shocks.

Trailing 2-0 after the first leg, Schalke twice led - through Christian Fuchs and ex-Real striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - but Cristiano Ronaldo levelled each time with a header.

Karim Benzema gave the hosts the advantage on the night after the break but goals from Leroy Sane and Huntelaar saw a below-par Real endure a nervous finale in a thrilling encounter.

Full report here.

Scots fight back

An update from the Cricket World Cup in Hobart...

Chasing 364 to beat Sri Lanka, and to secure a first ever win at the cricket World Cup win, Scotland are fighting back after a dodgy start.

They were reduced to 0-1, then 26-2, and lost a third wicket with the score on 44.

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But things are looking a little more hopeful for Scotland now, Preston Mommsen (41) and Freddie Coleman (44) building a nice partnership and the score 119-3 after 24 overs. Can they do it? We'll find out over the next hour or two.

Follow live text commentary here.

Thriller at Cheltenham

The BBC's horse racing reporter Frank Keogh will be sending us regular updates from the Cheltenham Festival throughout the course of the day.

A record first-day crowd of 63,249 watched yesterday's action and they were treated to some thrilling events, from Faugheen's Champion Hurdle win to Annie Power's so-called £40m fall at the last.

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You will find Keogh's account of day one here.

Wednesday's back pages

Daily Express

The Daily Express reckons Louis van Gaal will not only get the go-ahead to continue as Manchester United manager but will be given £150m to spend in the summer.

Swans defenders staying put

Swansea defender Jordi Amat Maas has signed a one-year contract extension, which will keep him at the Liberty Stadium until summer 2018, the club has announced.

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The 22-year-old centre back has made nine appearances this season.

Frank Keogh

BBC Sport

"Another bright and cool start here for day two of the Cheltenham Festival, which is officially Ladies' Day and where the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 15:20 GMT is the feature race.

"Can today match the drama of yesterday - a historic four-timer for trainer Willie Mullins including the first three in the Champion Hurdle and THAT Annie Power fall which saved bookmakers an estimated £40m payout?

"Horses are exercising on the track, including those of Irish trainer Gordon Elliott, who confirms to me his intention to race Tuesday winner Cause Of Causes in next month's Grand National. Owned by JP McManus, might he yet end up as the final National ride for retiring 19-time champion jockey AP McCoy?"

Wednesday's back pages

The i

Interesting story on the front of The i, which suggests that Kevin Pietersen in in talks about a return to the England cricket team. Definitely a story to keep an i on (groan...)

Watson waiting

A final snippet of tennis news for the time being.

Heather Watson plays her first round match at the WTA Indian Wells tournament against Julia Goerges of Germany at 6pm UK time. You will find commentary on Radio 5 live Sports Extra.

Ward on Welbeck

After his victory, James Ward seemed most happiest about the news that greeted him when he stepped off the plane in America ... his beloved Arsenal had knocked Man United out of the FA Cup.

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"That was probably the best news of the weekend!" said Davis Cup hero Ward. "It was good to land to an away win and fitting that Welbeck got the winner."

More heroics from Ward

James Ward has beaten another American - just 24 hours after arriving in California for the Masters event in Indian Wells.

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Following his stunning, marathon win over John Isner in the Davis Cup, Ward beat Mitchell Krueger in a final set tiebreak to reach the second round of qualifying.

He will take on Mischa Zverev of Germany later for a place in the main draw.

Wednesday's back pages

Daily Mirror

News in The Mirror of an alleged Manchester City dressing room bust-up between skipper Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fernandinho, which apparently occurred at half-time during City's defeat at Liverpool and led to Kompany being dropped for the Blues next game against Leicester.

The threat of Ibrahimovic

Chelsea beat PSG in last season's quarter-finals after they overturned a 3-1 deficit to win the home leg 2-0 and advance on away goals.

But on that occasion the French side were without injured Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. This time, PSG boss Laurent Blanc thinks Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma could struggle to contain him.

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"I don't think those two players are going to be happy about facing Zlatan," Blanc said.

"He's someone who loves the big occasion. He's a player who can score at any time, in any venue, against any opponent. I hope he shows that on Wednesday night."

Jose doesn't hold back

Given how patchily British teams have fared in Europe so far this season, Chelsea's game against PSG in the last-16 of the Champions League (19:45 GMT kick-off) is a big one to say the least.

The first leg in Paris finished 1-1 and Jose Mourinho, you will not be surprised to hear, has been causing a bit of a stir ahead of tonight's second game - describing the PSG as the most aggressive side his team have faced this season.

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"We have played teams from the Championship, League One and League Two, but the most aggressive was PSG. For a team with so much quality I expected more football," said Jose.

"A team with fantastic players was the team making foul after the foul."

Adds a bit of spice doesn't it? Classic Mourinho.

Scotland face uphill task

First up, let's nip to Hobart in Tasmania (figuratively speaking, obviously - after all, it's a fair old trek there from Beeb hq in Salford) to check what's going on at the Cricket World Cup and it's a big one for Scotland.

They are looking for a first victory at the tournament - but it's not going to be easy against a Sri Lanka side which has whacked a pretty hefty 363-9 from their 50 overs.

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And things have just got tougher for Scotland, with Kyle Coetzer caught and bowled by Lasith Malinga with the score on zero.

It's fair to say a Scottish victory looks unlikely at this stage, but you never know.

Follow live text coverage here.

Morning all

Welcome to another Sportsday, with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea hogging the spotlight as they prepare to face Paris St Germain for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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But there are plenty of other things going on, from Radamel Falcao's appearance for Man United's under-21s (bet he was delighted about that) to speculation of a dressing bust-up at Man City between skipper Vincent Vincent Kompany and midfielder Fernandinho.

We've also the latest from the Cricket World Cup, the Cheltenham Festival, news from the tennis world on another gutsy win for Jamie Ward ... and anything else that happens in sport throughout the course of the day.

So get the kettle on, sit back, and enjoy.